In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets edged out the Carolina Hurricanes with a 4-3 victory in a shootout, thanks to Adam Fantilli's decisive goal in the fourth round. The win marked a significant boost for the Blue Jackets, improving their home record to 12-4-3 this season. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins played a crucial role, denying Sebastian Aho's attempt to secure the win after Fantilli's successful shot.

The game saw Kent Johnson and Andrei Svechnikov also score in the shootout, while Merzlikins showcased his skills by stopping shots from Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis. The Blue Jackets had a rocky start, struggling to penetrate the offensive zone, yet they managed to clinch the win when Dmitri Voronkov tied the game at 3 during the third period with a power play goal.

Kirill Marchenko shone for Columbus, netting two goals in the first period and setting a club record for the most points in December, tallying 19 points in 16 games. The Hurricanes, who entered the game leading the NHL in shots per game, were unable to recover after Voronkov's equalizer. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ty Smith, and Jack Roslovic scored for Carolina, while goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 25 saves.

As both teams prepare for their next matches, the Hurricanes will face the Florida Panthers, and the Blue Jackets will host the Detroit Red Wings, aiming to build on their recent successes.